COLORADO SPRINGS — A custodian who helped a professor open a can of titanium tetrachloride in the basement of a Colorado College building suffered the most from exposure to the harmful chemical, Chemistry Professor Nathan Bower said Thursday.

Machinist Steve Burt remained hospitalized Thursday with breathing difficulties but was in stable condition at a Denver hospital, said Bower, who was not in the building during the incident.

Colorado Springs Fire Lt. Stacy Billapando said the container had been taken down to a custodian who assisted in opening it. Bower said the container was drilled open, apparently causing pressure to build as moisture reacted with the chemical.

Seven staff members and six students were rescued from Olin Hall and sent to the hospital, Turnis said. Twelve people were treated Wednesday and released.

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